Aimovig dosage, forms, and strengths

Aimovig is a brand-name prescription drug used to prevent migraines. The active ingredient in Aimovig, erenumab-aooe, is a monoclonal antibody that blocks a protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)  that can cause migraine. People taking Aimovig will inject themselves with a single-dose Aimovig autoinjector once per month.

RELATED: Learn more about Aimovig | Get Aimovig discounts 

Aimovig forms and strengths

Injections are the only dosage form available. Aimovig is self-injected and can be purchased as a prefilled autoinjector. There is also a prefilled syringe formulation (that does not auto-inject) but it is not availalbe in the US. Only the prefilled autoinjector is available in the US at this time. 

• Prefilled autoinjector: 70 mg/mL, 140 mg/mL

Aimovig dosage for adults

The recommended dose of Aimovig for the prophylaxis of migraine headaches is 70 mg injected subcutaneously (into the abdomen, thigh, or outer upper arm) once per month, though some patients may receive a larger dose of 140 mg per month. 

Source: Epocrates

Aimovig dosage for the prophylaxis of migraine headache

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Aimovig for only one indication: as a preventive treatment for migraines. Aimovig is not an appropriate medication for relieving active migraines. 

The active ingredient in Aimovig, erenumab-aooe, is a monoclonal antibody. In our body, we have calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and CGRP receptors. When CGRP attaches to the receptors (almost like a puzzle), migraine is triggered. Aimovig blocks the receptor, so CGRP cannot attach to it. This helps prevent migraine attacks. 

Regular monthly Aimovig dosing will not eliminate migraine headaches. Aimovig is intended to reduce the average number of migraine headache days per month. In clinical studies, about 43% of people taking Aimovig for chronic migraines and 50% taking Aimovig for episodic migraines were experiencing half or less the number of monthly migraine days than they were at the beginning of the trial.

• Standard adult dosage for migraine headache prophylaxis: 70–140 mg subcutaneous injection once per month 

• Maximum adult dosage for migraine headache prophylaxis: 140 mg per month

Aimovig dosage for children

The use of Aimovig in children has not been approved by the FDA.

Aimovig dosage restrictions

The only Aimovig contraindication is an allergy to the drug. Anyone who has an allergic reaction to Aimovig, such as angioedema, will not be able to take the drug. However, the autoinjector’s needle is covered by a dry natural rubber cap, which is made from latex. Some people are allergic to these substances and may have an allergic reaction when injected. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex before using Aimovig.

People with renal impairment (kidney disease) or hepatic impairment (liver problems) will generally not require reduced doses.

How to take Aimovig

A 70 mg or 140 mg dose is self-injected once per month. The injection is made right beneath the skin using a prefilled autoinjector (the Aimovig SureClick injector). A healthcare provider will teach people taking Aimovig how to properly administer the injection. If patients need a refresher course, Amgen Inc., the manufacturer of Aimovig, has tutorial videos on the Aimovig website.

• Take this medicine as directed by a healthcare professional.

• This medicine should come with a patient information insert and illustrated instructions for use. If either of these is missing, a pharmacist can provide a complimentary copy. Please read these each time you use this medicine. It’s a good idea to review the instructions for use each time you take this medicine.

• Always check the expiration date on the medicine. If the medicine is expired, do not use it.

• In addition to the medicine, you will need alcohol wipes, cotton balls or gauze pads, adhesive bandages, and a sharps disposal container each time an injection is administered.

• The subcutaneous injection should be made in an area around the outer upper arms, abdomen, or the front of the thighs. A healthcare provider will demonstrate where to make injections.

• Do not inject the medicine into skin that is tender, bruised, red, raised, thick, or scaly. Do not try to make an injection into wounds or scars. 

• The injection is for one-time use only. 

• Do not shake before using.

• Never use an autoinjector that has been dropped on a hard surface. 

• Store Aimovig in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F) in its original carton to protect the contents from light. Do not freeze.

• If Aimovig is removed from the refrigerator and comes to room temperature, do not return it to the refrigerator. Aimovig can be stored at room temperature (up to 77°F) for up to seven days. If it is not used before that time, safely dispose of the medicine.

• Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

SureClick autoinjector

• Let the medicine stand at room temperature in the original carton out of direct sunlight for at least 30 minutes. Do not apply any heat to warm the medicine.

• Do not remove the white safety cap until ready to inject.

• Check the label to make sure the drug and dose are correct. Inspect the autoinjector. The instructions will tell you what to look for. Above all, do not inject a dose if the medicine has flakes or appears cloudy or discolored.

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. 

• Prepare the injection site by washing it and sterilizing it with an alcohol wipe. Let the skin dry.

• Pull the white cap off when ready to inject. Do not leave the white cap off for more than 5 minutes.

• At the injection site, either stretch the skin or pinch it into a bunch. A healthcare provider will demonstrate how to do this.

• Hold the autoinjector at a 90-degree angle to the skin and place the green safety guard on the skin.

• Push the autoinjector down as far as it can go.

• Press the purple start button. It will click.

• Lift your thumb from the purple start button but keep pushing the autoinjector into the skin until the autoinjector clicks a second time. This will take about 15 seconds.

• The injection is finished. Discard the autoinjector in the sharps container.

Aimovig dosage FAQs

How long does Aimovig stay in your system?

The elimination half-life of Aimovig is 28 days, so it will take almost five months for a dose to be completely cleared from the body.

What happens if I miss a dose of Aimovig?

If a dose is forgotten, the missed dose can be taken at any time. This will, however, reset the dosage schedule. The next dose should be taken no sooner than one month later.

How long can you take Aimovig?

The use of Aimovig is intended for long-term treatment. However, Aimovig was only approved in 2018. As a comparatively new drug, its long-term effects have not been determined.

How do I stop taking Aimovig?

Aimovig may not be right for everyone. In some people, the medicine may not work in reducing monthly migraine days. Other people may have hypersensitivity reactions and need to immediately stop the medicine. Aimovig also has some serious side effects including high blood pressure (hypertension) and severe constipation with serious complications requiring hospitalization. Other people may have problems with common adverse reactions like unwanted hair loss, constipation, cramps, muscle spasms, or injection site reactions.

Aimovig can be stopped at any time without withdrawal or other problems. People who can’t take Aimovig do have alternative treatments to prevent migraines. The standard treatments for migraine prophylaxis include topiramate, nortriptyline, and/or botulinum toxin. Other monoclonal antibodies that work like Aimovig in preventing migraines are Vyepti (eptinezumab), Emgality (galcanezumab), and Ajovy (fremanezumab).

What is the maximum dosage for Aimovig?

The maximum dose of Aimovig is 140 mg per month.

Can you overdose on Aimovig?

It is very difficult to overdose on Aimovig. Most people will get one monthly dose each time they refill the prescription, so they would have to hoard the medication to take multiple doses in a short time. The FDA and the manufacturer, Amgen/Novartis, have not provided overdosage information, symptoms, or treatment protocols. As with any prescription drug, if too much Aimovig has been taken, call a poison helpline or get immediate medical attention.

What interacts with Aimovig?

Aimovig has relatively few drug interactions. However, as with all prescription drugs, make sure the prescribing healthcare provider knows about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs as well as vitamins and dietary supplements being taken. 

Some drugs could cause worsening of the adverse effects of Aimovig, primarily hypertension or constipation. Drugs that elevate blood pressure, such as triptans (migraine medications) and stimulants, will worsen any hypertension caused by Aimovig. A large variety of drugs including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, anti-nausea drugs, antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, and blood pressure medications, also have constipation as an adverse event, so they could worsen any constipation caused by Aimovig or increase the risk for severe constipation. 

What happens when you mix Aimovig and alcohol?

Neither the manufacturer, Amgen/Novartis, nor the FDA, advises patients to limit alcohol use when taking Aimovig. However, in some patients, alcohol may trigger migraine. Check with your doctor regarding alcohol consumption and migraine. 

Is it safe to take Aimovig during pregnancy?

As a newer drug, using Aimovig while pregnant or breastfeeding has not been determined as safe. There are no studies on the effects of Aimovig on a fetus, newborns, nursing infants, or lactation. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should get medical advice about the risks and benefits before taking Aimovig.

Related resources for Aimovig dosages:

• Aimovig, Epocrates

• Aimovig prescribing information, U.S. National Library of Medicine

• Calcitonin gene-related peptide receptors, StatPearls

• Erenumab-aooe drug summary, Prescriber’s Digital Reference